Atrial Flutter

AMBULATORY CARE:

Atrial flutter

is an irregular heartbeat. It reduces your heart's ability to pump blood, which means you do not get enough oxygen. An irregular heartbeat could lead to a life-threatening blood clot or stroke.

Common symptoms include the following:

Pounding or racing heartbeat

Chest pain

Shortness of breath

Weakness or tiredness

Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

Call 911 for any of the following:

You have any of the following signs of a stroke:

Numbness or drooping on one side of your face

Weakness in an arm or leg

Confusion or difficulty speaking

Dizziness, a severe headache, or vision loss

You have any of the following signs of a heart attack:

Squeezing, pressure, or pain in your chest

and any of the following:

Discomfort or pain in your back, neck, jaw, stomach, or arm

Shortness of breath

Nausea or vomiting

Lightheadedness or a sudden cold sweat

Seek care immediately if:

You have any of the following signs of a blood clot:

You feel lightheaded, are short of breath, and have chest pain.

You cough up blood.

You have swelling, redness, pain, or warmth in your arm or leg.

Contact your cardiologist or healthcare provider if:

Your heart rate is higher or lower than your cardiologist says it should be.

You are bruising and bleeding more easily.

You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Treatment for atrial flutter

may include any of the following:

Heart medicines help control your heart rate and rhythm.

Blood thinners help prevent blood clots. Examples of blood thinners include heparin and warfarin. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. The following are general safety guidelines to follow while you are taking a blood thinner:

Watch for bleeding and bruising while you take blood thinners. Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin, and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. This can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports.

Tell your dentist and other healthcare providers that you take anticoagulants. Wear a bracelet or necklace that says you take this medicine.

Do not start or stop any medicines unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Many medicines cannot be used with blood thinners.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you forget to take the medicine, or if you take too much.

Warfarin is a blood thinner that you may need to take. The following are things you should be aware of if you take warfarin:

Foods and medicines can affect the amount of warfarin in your blood. Do not make major changes to your diet while you take warfarin. Warfarin works best when you eat about the same amount of vitamin K every day. Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables and certain other foods. Ask for more information about what to eat when you are taking warfarin.

You will need to see your healthcare provider for follow-up visits when you are on warfarin. You will need regular blood tests. These tests are used to decide how much medicine you need.

Cardioversion is a procedure to return your heart rate and rhythm to normal. This is done with medicine or an electrical shock.

Cardiac ablation is a procedure that uses heat energy to correct your irregular heartbeat. Ask for more information on cardiac ablation.

Surgery may be needed to put in a pacemaker or an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). These will help control your heart rate and rhythm.

Manage atrial flutter:

Do not smoke. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars can cause heart and lung damage. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke and need help to quit. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your healthcare provider before you use these products.

Limit alcohol. Women should limit alcohol to 1 drink a day. Men should limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day. A drink of alcohol is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1½ ounces of liquor.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.